By Edward Niedermeyer
April 14, 2008 -
Thus far, the New Chrysler's (domestic) turnaround strategy has been very emo: lots of cutting and complaining, and not much else. A press release indicates they hope to turn that image around. Trumpeting a "barrage" of technologies and innovations, they purport to offer customers improved fuel economy, performance, flexibility and convenience. Increased internet connectivity is promised on "future model-year vehicles" via combined WiFi and 4G technologies which will "transform the vehicle into a 'hot spot' to deliver Internet and e-mail access, and movie and music download capability." Rear-cross and blind-spot monitoring systems will be offered on the company's minivans, an "in-class" exclusive says the release, piggy-backing on last weeks Ford announcement. Chrysler continues its game of catch up with Ford by offering improved voice-activated systems ala SYNC, throwing in iPod integration and a swivel-screen for the backseat in minivans. The only major bone tossed to enthusiasts is a new active transfer case for 2009 AWD 300 and Charger models. The new transfer case improves traction and fuel economy, while also allowing front-axle shutoff, creating a seamless transition between RWD and AWD modes. Hey, something is better than nothing.
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POWERED
April 14th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Just what we need, more crap that adds weight and reduces Chrysler’s already substandard across-the-board fuel economy.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
a ‘hot spot’ to deliver Internet and e-mail access, and movie and music download capability
Well, gives you something to do while waiting for a tow truck.
John
April 14th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
So we have a bunch of off the shelf electronics, some Marketing Bovine Defecation and a new transfer case.
If they could figure out how the make their Export model Diesels meet US emissions regulations they could easily CAFE with their current product lineup. If they were able to get there before Honda, Subaru and VW they could actually have something that differentiates them from the herd.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
So they’re going to add more useless electronics to distract a drivers’ attention even more? That sounds fantastic. Good to see that Chrysler is shooting for the stars or something.
I’ve been reading about the Honda diesel. When Honda brings their diesel option over, they will likely even have an edge over established diesel manufacturers like VW and Mercedes. Honda reliability, common rail economy and no external urea source will probably win them a lot of sales, assuming they offer it on more than one model. If Chrysler thinks that just adding gadgets is going to help their sales, they might want to just give up. People want economical vehicles now, not 3 years from now. So far, the domestics aren’t doing so well in that area and I don’t see any interesting plans for economical vehicles in the near future.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Adding electronic crap is a cheap way to claim “innovation” without really investing in any research (none of that stuff is really developed at Chrysler I’ll bet). What Chrysler really needs to do is improve the reliability and quality of their vehicles. But that’s difficult, expensive, and time consuming.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Sigh.
Chrysler is rolling out their brand new line of “Phoenix” V-6 engines in 2010, as well as new Dual Clutch transmissions. They are working with Cummins on a new deisel engine for 2010-2011.
So what is wrong with rolling out some technical gadgetry at the same time. Nothing.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
So what is wrong with rolling out some technical gadgetry at the same time. Nothing.
…just as there’s nothing wrong with tweaking Chrysler’s “we’re reinventing the wheel” marketingspeak.
Enjoy!
April 14th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Most of the gadgets Chrysler adds can be had in the after market for those who really want them.
All they need to add now is an OEM espresso machine people to turn their minivan into an internet cafe with heated cup holders. They could call it the Chrysler Town & Country Starbucks Edition.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Could they use that “Knowledge Based Engineering” method to redo the entire horrid Chrysler line-up STAT!? I remember in the late 90’s Chrysler design was something absolutely breath-taking. Every auto show displayed something new and magnificent from the Chrysler team. Now, it’s…it’s…I really don’t know how to explain it other than one word: pathetic.
Although, i’ve been waiting for a manufacturer to produce a front-axle disconnect system. I was just hoping it would have been Mitsubishi with the Evo X or Subaru with the WRX line.
I can just see this system being a real headache for Chrysler service garages.
Ah well…
April 14th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
And to think Chrysler is usually the “Canary in a coal mine” for the domestic industry…
April 14th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
regardless what Chrysler does with their autos, I will never buy one again. I will stick with chevys.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
My impression of Chrysler is very, very simple: Absolutely the least reliable, least refined pieces of garbage you could waste your hard-earned money on. I presume any Chrysler owner is illiterate: How can you not pick up a copy of Consumer Reports and find out that you just bought the least reliable vehicle sold in the country? Even the very slightest amount of research should keep you out of a Chrysler showroom, “so long as you live.”
So, yeah, just keep on ignoring simple concepts such as quality and refinement, and tack on even more complex stuff you won’t be able to assemble reliably. Sheesh.
As far as I’m concerned, anyone stupid enough to buy a Chrysler product DESERVES to be stuck with all of the problems they’ll have with it.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
thoots, I have a story for you. It goes like this:
“Your info about Consumer Reports inconsistent ratings is on the mark. My father treats the CU ratings as gospel, so when we bought a new 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, he almost fell over. He showed me all the poor CU ratings for the Mopar minivans then sat back and waited for all the big repairs we were supposedly in for. Never happened. We owned that van for 8 years and with two boys, used it hard. It got an oil change every 3-4k miles and my wife kept up with the in and out appearance. We only sold it because we needed a small SUV for the 4wd and so my wife could pull our son’s dirt bikes if needed. Ironically we ended up getting an Isuzu Trooper, a vehicle CU declared unacceptable. It’s been a year and this vehicle has been equally as outstanding. If I understand correctly, all SUVs are at risk of tipping but CU went after Isuzu with a vengence- which is probably why Isuzu is all but out of the passenger vehicle business. I have a hard time believing these ratings are impartial, when for over 20 years this magazine insisted we should all be driving a Toyota or Honda.”
If you would like to consider a different opinion you can read further:
http://www.allpar.com/cr.html
By the way I have owned several Dodge and Chrysler products in the past (but none since Daimler raped them) and I have two college degrees.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:35 am
windswords…
Like they say “Your mileage may vary.”
These inconsequential “improvements” that Chrysler is touting brings back memories of the 1970’s when Detroit’s answer to Japan was to add an extra inch of carpet to the interior in order to make it more “luxurious”.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:10 am
I’m concerned about: “Knowledge Based Engineering: vastly improves vehicle development time”
What was the engineering based on before?
April 15th, 2008 at 9:31 am
RedStapler :
Most of the gadgets Chrysler adds can be had in the after market for those who really want them.
All they need to add now is an OEM espresso machine people to turn their minivan into an internet cafe with heated cup holders. They could call it the Chrysler Town & Country Starbucks Edition.
When did you start working for Chrysler Marketing? :-)
April 15th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Anyone remember Chrysler’s ads (about 10 years ago) touting the excellent quality of their vehicles due to their use of ‘cybersynthesis’ …. I sh*t you not…..
I’m an engineer who worked in the CAD/CAM industry and that one got us rolling in the aisles. Apparently all the other manufacturers were chiselling designs onto granite slabs or something……It’s been reinforced for me for years….crap in real life starts as crap on the CAD screen
April 15th, 2008 at 11:20 am
car_nerd: I remember those ads when the second generation Dodge Intrepid was rolled out. The claim was that it was the first vehicle designed entirely using 3D solid modeling (I belive Chrysler was using Catia v4). I have little reason to doubt the truth of that claim.
Of course the principal benefit of solid modeling is to better prove fits prior to manufacturing as a way of reducing development cost. It is a tool for design, and not a key driver of end product quality. To claim that it is would fool only those who don’t understand that fact, and is no doubt the reason you and your cohorts were laughing about it.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Once again the TTAC clones attack even in this rare case of a Detroit automaker doing something RIGHT. C’mon people, this is to be encouraged, not hooted at. In some ways Chrysler is actually doing something mildly revolutionary and changing cars for the better.
I noticed at the NY auto show that, unless my eyes deceived me, Chrysler appears to have lowered the add-on price of the hard disk drive-based MyGIG nav-radio to about $900. As opposed to, like $2,000. That is revolutionary.
I was quite shocked to see they apparently are now offering a hard drive-based media player (sans navigation) for like $400. To my knowledge that is the very first OE in-dash hard drive-based A/V unit without navigation ever offered … anywhere, by any car maker, in the world. (If that mouthful doesn’t impress you, you do not understand this part of the business.) Give em some props.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Sorry, Chrysler believers, but I’ll get some technology that’s wrapped inside something that won’t fall to pieces around it.
I suppose some folks can get lucky, but the ones I know who’ve had Chrysler products have been stranded out of town, have had to replace engines and transmissions, have had paint fall right off their vehicles, have driven around town spewing clouds of blue smoke, with their (minivan) engines making more noise than a couple of those diesel dual-wheel pickups, combined. And on and on an on. Gosh, you’d have to be blind not to see these things utterly decomposing as they rattle around town.
“Yep, I want one of them cool Calibers, with those heated cupholders!”
NOT.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
thoots, thanks for your unobjective and uninformed opinion. Those Chryslers you see spewing blue smoke are the ones using Japanese-sourced engines from Mitsubishi….and that was from two decades ago. Amazing that they’re still on the road when most of the competition has gone to the crusher. How often do you see a 20 or 30 year old Japanese car on the road? Almost never. Yet there is a HUGE aftermarket for accessories and upgrades for all of those American vehicles, including Chrysler products, from the ’60s, ’70s, adn ’80s because there are so many of them STILL on the road.
If you want to go back that far we can talk about those Hondas and Toyotas that blew head gaskets faster than they needed oil changes….assuming their bodies didn’t rust away first.
More recently Honda/Acura has been plagued by catastrophic transmission failures forcing them to quietly extend their power train warranty on some models. Then there’s the more recently achieved record over at Toyota: largest number of safety recalls in a single year. I’d take a Chrysler any day over those turds.